Some Facts About Wales Wales is in north-west Europe and is part ofGreat Britain, an island countryand the United Kingdom (UK) .
Wales (Cymru in Welsh) is a mountainous country on the western side of Great Britain.
Wales is bordered by England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, St George's Channel in the west, and the Irish Sea to the north.
Technically, Wales is a principality. This means that it is ruled by a prince. Traditionally the Prince of Wales is the eldest son of the English monarch.
Wales has not been politically independent since 1282, when it was conquered by Edward I of England.
Until 1999, Wales was ruled directly from London; That year saw the first elections to the National Assembly of Wales, which has limited domestic powers and cannot make law.
Wales does not issue its own currency and is not in control of any armed forces. These are the powers of the national government of the UK.
The national game of Wales is Rugby
The National Flag of Wales
Famous Welsh people Wales is known for its great actors - Richard Burton, and today Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta Jones. It is also known for its Celtic traditions and the Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) on its flag.
Laura Ashley - famous fashion creator.
David Lloyd George - past British Prime Minister,
Sir George Everest - famous traveler and explorer, The highest peak in the world is named after him.
Writers and poets
Roald Dahl (1916–1990), author
Dick Francis (born 1920), jockey and author
Dylan Thomas (1914–1953), poet
Ronald Stuart Thomas (1913–2000), poet
David Jones (1895–1974), artist and poet
Musicians
Tom Jones
Shirley Bassey.
Musical groups:
Catatonia,
Super Furry Animals,
The Stereophonics,
Manic Street Preachers.
Country Facts
Motto:
Cymru am byth (Wales for ever)
Flag:
Red dragon on a green and white field.
National Day:
March 1st
(Similar to American 4th Of July)
Area:
20,779 sq km
Population:
2,918,700 (2002)
Capital City:
Cardiff
Major Cities:
Cardiff, Swansea (Abertawe) and Newport (Casnewydd)
Official Language:
English and Welsh
Nationality :
Welsh and British
Anthem (Song):
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land Of My Fathers)
Main religions:
Anglicanism, Methodism
Currency:
Pound Sterling (£)
Highest point:
Snowdon 1085 metres (3559 ft)
Longest river:
Towy (Tywi) 103 km (64 miles)
Largest Lake:
Bala (4.4 sq km)
Official Animal
Dragon
Economy
Coal, copper, iron, lead, and gold have been mined in Wales, and slate has been quarried.
Much of Wales, due to poor soil, is unsuitable for crop-growing, and so livestock farming has traditionally been the focus of agriculture.
The Welsh landscape, protected by three National Parks, and the unique Welsh culture bring in tourism, which is especially vital for rural areas.
Traditional Welsh Food
Welsh food is usually made from local ingredients.
Some traditional dishes include laverbread (made from seaweed), bara brith (fruit cake), cawl cennin (leek stew), Welsh cakes, Welsh Rarebit, and Welsh lamb.
A type of shellfish, cockles, is often served with breakfast.
Wales is in north-west Europe and is part of Great Britain, an island country and the United Kingdom (UK) .
Great Britain
- Wales has not been politically independent since 1282, when it was conquered by Edward I of England.
- Until 1999, Wales was ruled directly from London; That year saw the first elections to the National Assembly of Wales, which has limited domestic powers and cannot make law.
- Wales does not issue its own currency and is not in control of any armed forces. These are the powers of the national government of the UK.
- The national game of Wales is Rugby
The National Flag of WalesFamous Welsh people
Wales is known for its great actors - Richard Burton, and today Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta Jones. It is also known for its Celtic traditions and the Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) on its flag.
- Laura Ashley - famous fashion creator.
- David Lloyd George - past British Prime Minister,
- Sir George Everest - famous traveler and explorer, The highest peak in the world is named after him.
Writers and poets- Roald Dahl (1916–1990), author
- Dick Francis (born 1920), jockey and author
- Dylan Thomas (1914–1953), poet
- Ronald Stuart Thomas (1913–2000), poet
- David Jones (1895–1974), artist and poet
Musicians- Tom Jones
- Shirley Bassey.
Musical groups:Country Facts
(Similar to American 4th Of July)
- Coal, copper, iron, lead, and gold have been mined in Wales, and slate has been quarried.
- Much of Wales, due to poor soil, is unsuitable for crop-growing, and so livestock farming has traditionally been the focus of agriculture.
- The Welsh landscape, protected by three National Parks, and the unique Welsh culture bring in tourism, which is especially vital for rural areas.
Traditional Welsh Food